Master of Social Work - Traditional
The traditional Master of Social Work (MSW) program at the University at Buffalo is des...
M.S. in Community Health and Health Behavior
Buffalo, New York
INTAKE: August
Program Overview
The M.S. in Community Health and Health Behavior at UB is a 30-credit hour program that can typically be completed in two years for full-time students, or on a part-time basis for working professionals. The program offers two distinct pathways: a Thesis Option for students interested in conducting original research, and a Project/Practicum Option for those seeking more applied experience. This flexibility allows students to tailor their academic journey to align with their career aspirations, whether in research, program development, health education, or public health administration. The program also provides opportunities for students to obtain advanced certificates in areas such as Public Health, Health Policy, or Health Communication.
Curriculum: The 30-credit curriculum for the M.S. in Community Health and Health Behavior provides a strong foundation in public health principles, health behavior theories, research methods, and program planning and evaluation. Required courses often include "Principles of Epidemiology," "Introduction to Biostatistics," "Social and Behavioral Sciences in Public Health," "Health Program Planning and Evaluation," and "Health Behavior Theory." Electives allow for specialization in areas such as public health communication, health policy, health disparities, global health, and specific health topics like chronic disease prevention or substance abuse. The culminating experience (thesis or project/practicum) provides an opportunity for students to apply their knowledge to a real-world public health issue.
Research Focus: The M.S. in Community Health and Health Behavior at UB has a strong research focus, aiming to prepare graduates to engage in, utilize, and translate research for public health practice and policy. Faculty within the Department of Community Health and Health Behavior are actively engaged in diverse research areas, including health disparities, chronic disease prevention (e.g., cancer, diabetes), substance abuse, mental health, sexual health, maternal and child health, and the social determinants of health. Research methods span quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods approaches. Students have opportunities to participate in faculty-led research projects, conduct their own thesis research, or engage in applied projects that address community health needs, contributing to the evidence base for effective public health interventions.
Industry Engagement: The M.S. in Community Health and Health Behavior program at UB is highly focused on preparing graduates for impactful careers in various public health settings. The program actively engages with governmental public health agencies (e.g., local and state health departments), non-profit organizations, community-based organizations, healthcare systems, and academic institutions. Through practicum experiences and applied projects, students gain hands-on experience in real-world public health program planning, implementation, and evaluation. This practical training, combined with a curriculum informed by current public health challenges, ensures graduates are well-prepared for roles in health education, program coordination, community outreach, policy analysis, and research.
Global Perspective: The M.S. in Community Health and Health Behavior at UB inherently fosters a global perspective by addressing health challenges that transcend national borders. Many health behaviors and community health issues, such as infectious disease control, non-communicable disease prevention, and health equity, are global concerns. The program offers opportunities for students to explore global health topics through coursework and potentially through faculty-led research projects with international components. As a major public research university, UB attracts a diverse international student body and faculty, enriching the learning environment with varied cultural viewpoints and different approaches to addressing public health issues from around the world. This exposure prepares graduates to contribute to global health initiatives and work effectively with diverse populations.
Location
Buffalo, New York
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 28210
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 70% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 90 or higher.
- PTE: Overall score of 61 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 120.
The University at Buffalo (UB) offers a variety of scholarships and financial aid opportunities specifically aimed at supporting international students who wish to pursue their studies in the United States. These scholarships are designed to reward academic excellence, leadership, and community involvement, helping to make education more affordable for talented students worldwide.
Merit-Based Scholarships: UB provides competitive merit scholarships to outstanding international undergraduate and graduate students. Awards such as the International Student Academic Excellence Scholarship recognize high-achieving students based on their academic records, standardized test scores, and extracurricular involvement.
Graduate Fellowships and Assistantships: Graduate international students can apply for teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and fellowships which offer tuition remission and stipends. These opportunities allow students to gain valuable teaching and research experience while offsetting the cost of their education.
Departmental Scholarships: Many academic departments at UB offer scholarships tailored to students in specific programs or fields of study. These awards may consider academic merit, research interests, or financial need.
External Scholarships: UB encourages international students to explore external scholarship options from private organizations, governments, and international foundations that support study in the U.S. The university’s International Student Services office provides guidance on identifying and applying for such funding sources.
Graduates with an M.S. in Community Health and Health Behavior from UB are well-prepared for a variety of roles focused on improving health outcomes and promoting well-being at the community and population levels.
Health Educator/Health Promotion Specialist: Design, implement, and evaluate health education programs and campaigns in community organizations, public health departments, schools, or workplaces.
Community Health Program Coordinator/Manager: Oversee public health programs, manage budgets, supervise staff, and engage with community partners to address specific health needs.
Public Health Analyst: Collect, analyze, and interpret public health data to identify trends, assess health needs, and inform policy and program development.
Research Coordinator/Associate: Support public health research projects, often involving data collection, participant recruitment, data analysis, and literature reviews.
Behavioral Scientist (Public Health): Apply theories of human behavior to understand health behaviors and design interventions to promote healthy lifestyles and prevent disease.
Epidemiologist (Behavioral/Social): Study the patterns, causes, and effects of health behaviors and related health conditions in populations, often within public health agencies.
Grant Writer/Development Specialist: Secure funding for public health programs and research by writing grant proposals for non-profit organizations, universities, or public health departments.
Policy Analyst (Health): Research and evaluate health policies, advocate for policy changes, and assess the impact of policies on public health outcomes.
Non-profit Program Manager: Lead and manage health-focused programs for non-profit organizations, addressing issues like chronic disease, substance abuse, or maternal health.
Global Health Program Officer: Work for international organizations, NGOs, or government agencies on global health initiatives, focusing on health behavior change and community health interventions in diverse cultural contexts.
